Cleanreadbookclub

If anyone knows how to delete the discussion I created - Please, by all means, whack it!

Open to any and almost all questions ....

How did you come about the book Evelyn?

Haha, it's okay Matt, I think we both started them at the same time.  Anyone, feel free to ask questions, etc.  I did too Evelyn!

I know from last time that there is a wicked delay (especially up here in Canada!!) so everyone might have to jump about a bit to keep track! :)

Welcome Laura! Yes, I saw that about the delay when reading over the last one as well.

I heard about the book through this club, too. I found your style so readable, Matt! You do a super job of letting your personality flow from the pages. I was wondering how long you "thought" about writing My Emily before you actually put pen to paper?

Actually Laura - a long time - It started out as a newspaper column some nearly 15 years ago - and after learning of a book class at my church - After the four weeks - went home - opened up the column file and just started writing and expanding it ..... adding to it .......... little by little .........

I agree with Laura, it was such a readable style! I love how you really put your heart out there.

If you put the math together ....... Emily passed away a few months short of her third birthday - In December she would be 25 ........ So, it was 22 years after .....

I'm a pretty big baby - Cry a lot .... or shall I say, sensitive ......

The meaning of her life Evelyn is a part of my day, every day ........ it has been ...... My heart was scarred for a long time but the understanding I have now ...... well, it's healed and I'm just a regular guy trying to share his story and hopefully help some people .....

You seem to be jetting all over the place promoting- what's been the best experience so far and why?

Hmmmmm - ummmmmm .... reading emails, private messages or reviews .... about how the book touched them ....... Very hard for me to comprehend how my little book ............ MY LITTLE BOOK - is reaching people so far away .... but making them feel so close .........

hits me VERY HARD .....

It's been almost 22 years since Emily passed - and still very, very emotional ............

My mum's little sister passed away from a sudden illness just before she turned 3. Matt, after reading your book I gained an understanding of how it affected the lives of my mum, aunt and grandparents. I don't think my grandmother ever really recovered from her loss.

Was very difficult for my mother (who just passed away last June) ............ The part of the book regarding the drawings? When my mother opened hers ....... She almost fell to her knees ...... in just shock ....... she treated that drawing like gold ....

My real hope is that I can reach out to men .......... husbands ............. fathers ............... and help them with their grief .............

I think you put into words what many can't express for themselves

Some men who have been through this ............. need an outlet .......... maybe a group of just men ............ to vent ........ to hear others' pain .......... their stories ........ to find a network of others who they can relate to ......... become friends with .............. brothers ............. and be able to call them ........... but still we have to be able to reach out to our wives ..........

Hey ...... Thanks so much Joana ...........

I so wish I kept a journal - (easy to say now) ......... keep a little notebook - use it as a prayer book ............ write your feelings down ........ pray about them ............

Welcome Joana! So sorry to hear about your mom. That's awesome that the book was really able to help you.

So agree Chris!